Tray-piling machine



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TRAY PILING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 6. 1919.

K. SANWO.

TRAY PILING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 6. 1919.

Patented June 8, 1920,.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3- KATSUJIRO SANWQOF FRESNO, CALIFOLRLF I'IAM TRAY-FILING- MACHINE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, KA'rsUJIRo SANwo, a subject of the Emperor of- Japan, residing at Fresno, in the county of Fresno and State of California, have invented a new and useful Tray-Pilin Machine, ofwhich the following is a specification This invention relates to a new and useful machine adapted for piling fruit trays, particularly for piling trays employed for drying grapes and for harvesting similar fruit. j

The present method of handlinggrapes consists in gathering the grapes on small trays which are placed in a row, and afterward gathering the trays separately and placing'the same upon a vehicle for transportation.

The objects of this invention are to fa cilitatethe harvesting of the grapes, and to attain this end,-I have provided a machine adapted to gather the trays from a row, pile the trays upon one another until a convenient pile is obtained, and to deposit the pile of trays upon the ground.

Upon-the annexed drawings, Figure 1 is a top plan view of a machine embodying-my invention. Fig. 2-is a side elevation of the same. Fig, 3 is a fragmentary detail view showingthe method of tripping the conveyer. Fig.- 4 is a rear elevation of the machine. Fig. 5 is-a fragmentary and perspective view of the operative parts showing thegear drive therefor. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detail view of the'same. Fig. 7 is a fragmentary detail view of the clutch transmission. Fig.8 is a fragmentary and top plan view of the operative parts.

Referring to the drawings, my invention consists of a frame 11, having the front frame member 12, side frame members 13 and 14, andtransverse frame members 15 and 16. Frame member 16 is connected to frame members 13 beneath the main axle 17. The main shaft 17 is journaled in bearing members 18 and 19,'respectively, mounted ,onjand projecting from frame members 13 and 14-, on-one side-of the machine, and in bearing members 20 and 2l, respectively, secured to the inner side of frame members 13. The main wheel 22 is mounted 011- and rotates withthe main shaft 17. The wheel 23 is journaled in bearings 24 and- 25,;respectivel'y, projecting upward from frame members 13 and'14, on the opposite side of the machine. ,7 a

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 8, 1920.

Application filed'May 6, 1919. Serial 110.295 2453.

An auxiliary frame 26 is pivotally connected to brackets 27 projecting from transverse frame member 15- The forward end 28 1s supported by truck wheels 29, and is provided 'with extensions 30, working in slots 31, in the depending frame members 32. Springs 33 are interposed between themnor ends 34 of slots 31 and blocks 35 mounted on extensions 30. The auxiliary frame may therefore'tilt laterally to accord with inequalities of the ground. A bar 36 is swlvelly connected to frame member12, and

may be securedin position on either side of the machlne by passing the bolt 37 through the bar 36 and extension 38.. A whiflletree '39 is pivotally connected'to the end of bar 36, and is adapted for connection with the traces of a harness. The drivers seat 40 is hooked over the grooved extension 41 forming the extremities of transverse bar 15, and may be placed on either side of the machine inaccordance with the position of the whiffletree. V

The auxiliary frame 26 has mounted thereon the platform 42, over which the trays passas they are taken'from the ground.

'The forwardly extending teeth 43, having.

extremities 49 upon which the trays ride as they are conveyed to the rear of the machine. The carriers ride upon the platform 42 until approaching the rearward limit of travel, whenthe weight of the trays servestokeep the carriers in position. The integral lugs 50 counterbalance the extremities 49 i and serve to maintain the carriers in position Inclined when the'trays are removed. The conveyer belts-46 are actuated by pulleys 51which'are provided with teeth 52, engaging with corresponding holes 53 in ,the belts. Through gears 54 and 55,, countershaft 56, gears 57 and 58, and the vertical shafts 59,motion;is

transmitted from the mainshaft 17' to; the

pulleys 51, the ratio or gearing being such thatlthe speed of" the conveyer belts 'is slightly greaterthan'the, speed of the periphery of the master-wheel-22, r

V trays from conveyers 47, the trays dropping.

Vertically disposed conveyer belts 60, are provided with horizontally arranged carriers 61, which are adapted to receive the trays'from the conveyer belts 46. Rotary tripping members 62, adapted to engage with lugs 50 on carriers 47, will release the upon carriers 61. A guide member 92 serves to retain the trays upon the stacklng carriers, and is provided with a cam member 93,

adapted to engage with the inoperative carrier when the lowermost, operative carrier approaches the delivery position,'thereby moving theguide to the inoperative position. 8

The conveyer. belts are actuated b sprocket gears 63, 'mounted on shafts 64, which, through gears and 66, are driven bythe countershaft'67. The gears 68, on shafts 64, are in mesh with pinions 69, on shafts The rotary tripping members 62 are fixed to'shafts 70, andthe ratio of gear-' ing between gears 68 and pinions 69 is such that the tripping members make a half revolution: during one-sixth of a revolution of the sprocket gears 63. The carriers 61 therefore advance downward the depth of one tray as the tripping members are actuated.

The gear 71 is fixed to the master-wheel 22 and drives the pinion 72, shown in Figs. 7 and 8. The pinion 72 drivesthe clutch member 73, journaled in the bearing: member 18. A corresponding ratchet clutch member 74, having an integral sleeve 75, is slidingly mounted on a countershaft 76. A spring 77, interposed between the bearing member 78 and the flanged end 79, of sleeve 75, tends to shift the clutch member 74 into engagement with clutch -member 7 3. A gear-wheel 80, on shaft 67, is in mesh with a pinion 81, fixed to shaft 76, provided with a 7 key member 82, whereby the clutch sleeve 75 and countershaft 76 will rotate simultaneously. The gear ratio between gear- Wheel 80 and pinion 81, and bevel-gears 65 and 66, is such that the clutch members 73 and 74 and the countershaft 76, make one revolution during one-sixth of a revolution of sprocket gears :63. The carriers 61 therefore advance downwardthe depth of one tray durin one revolution of the clutch members. The clutch member 74 is proyided with a projecting 1ug83, adapted to engage with the pawl 84, plvotally mounted on'a lug fixedto the bearingmember 18.

' The pawl 84'is provided with an integral lever arm 85 and with an inclined cam face 86. When the pawl 84 is in operative position, the cam- 86 engages with the lug 83, and serves to" disengage clutch members 73 1 and 7 4; A rectangular link 87, pivotally connected to lever. arm a 85, and to swinging levers 88, is provided with a stop 89, secured by the clamp 90,-and adapted to be actuated by the trays moving upon the carrieribelts 46. The stop 89 may be adjusted so that as thetrays approach the release position, the

pawl '84 is actuated to release the clutch member 74, which is thereupon forced into engagement with clutch member 73. Upon release of the tray, the spring 91 retracts levers 88 and 85, thereby placing the paw 84 in operative position. a i j As the carriers 61 approach the limit of their downward movement, the pile of trays will be released, and are deposited upon the ground. The ratio of gears is such that I is automatically accomplished with the advancing movement of the machine. 7

From the foregoing description it will be seen that simple and eflicient means are herein provided for accomplishing the objects of the invention, but while the elements shown and described are well adapted to serve the purposes for which they are intended, it isvto be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise construction as set forth, but includes within its purview such alterations, changes, and

scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is: r p 1. In a tray-piling machine, the combina- .modifications as may be made within the Y tion with a frame, of a masterwhecl and auxiliary wheel supporting the frame, an inclined frame pivotally'connected to the main frame, truck wheels supporting the inclined frame, a pair of conveyer belts ar ranged to travel from'the front end of the c inclined frame to the rear of the main frame, tiltable carriers mounted on the conveyer belts and arranged in opposed relation to each other, means for operating the riers, vertical conveyer belts disposed at-the rear of the machine, carriers on the vertical conveyer belts adapted to receive the trays from the first-named-conveyer belts, means downward step by step movement, and a "stop operated by the-trays as theyapproach thelimit'of their rearward moveconveyer belts, means for tripping the cari for operating the horizontal carriers with a.

ment, and arranged to control the actuating V means'for the stacking carriers and tripping:

means for the conveyersp" v 2. In a tray-piling machine, the combination with a main-frame and master-wheel and auxiliary wheel supporting the frame, of an inclined frame disposed in advance of the main-frame, conveyors including tiltable carriers moving upon the inclined frame and over the main-frame, guides onthe inclined frame serving to move the trays into engagement with the conveyers, means operative upon rotation of the master-wheel for constantly actuating the conveyers, stacking elements disposed in the mainframe beneath the conveyers and including rotary sprockets, chain belts and carriers thereon, a train of gears serving to transmit motion from the master-wheel to the sprockets and chain belts, a clutch disposed in the chainof gears, a pawl having an in clined face normally holding the clutch in disengaged position, a reciprocatory link connected to the pawl, a stop depending therefrom and engaging with the trays as they approach the limit of their rearward travel, and operating the pawl to release the clutch, a cam on the clutch engaging with the inclined face on the pawl and serving to disengage the clutch at the completion of a revolution thereof, and a rotary tripping member for the conveyer carriers intermittently actuated upon movement of the stacking elements.

' 8. In a tray-piling machine, the combination with a frame and wheels supporting the frame, of conveyer means arranged to gather the trays consecutively from the ground, tiltable carriers mounted in the conveyer means, accumulative and stacking elements disposed beneath the tiltable carriers, a train of gears operative upon motion of the wheels to actuate the conveyer means and accumulative and stacking elements, clutch and gear elements for 1nterm1t tently actuating the stacking elements during the movement of the conveyer means, rotary tripping elements for the tiltable carriers operated by the movement of the stacking elements, a spring tending to force the clutch elements into cooperative engage ment, a pawl normally holding the clutch elements in inoperative position, and releas ing means for the pawl actuated by engagement with the trays upon the conveyer means.

4. In a tray-piling machine, the combination with belt conveyers arranged to gather the trays from the ground and to move them to release position, of vertically movable carriers mounted at the rear of the machine and disposed beneath the belt conveyers, gear and clutch means connecting the carrier elements with the main shaft, a master-wheel to drive the main shaft, means for holding the clutch elements normally in inoperative position, and releasing means for the clutch retaining means, operated by engagement with the trays as they approach therelease position.

5 In a device as described, the combination with 'a pair of conveyors arranged to move the trays from the ground to release position, of carriers pivotally connected to the conveyers at intervals thereon, stacking carriers disposed beneath the release posi-' tion of the conveyers, means for operating the stacking carriers with a step by step intermittent downward movement, a guide member to retain the trays upon the stacking carriers, a cam member on the guide retaining member actuated by the inoperative stacking carrier as the operative carrier approaches the delivery position, rotary trip ping members for actuating the tiltable carriers on the conveyers, means for operating the rotary tripping members simultaneously with the intermittent downward movement of the stacking carriers, a master-wheel, a

gear-wheel fixed to the master-wheel and tive position, a stop carried by the reciproeating frame an operated by the trays as they approach the release position, and a spring to retract the reciprocating frame and pawl to the operative position upon delivery of the trays from the conveyerto the stacking carriers, and means for operating the conveyers independent of the operation of the stacking carriers.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

"KATSUJIRO SANWO. 

